Portland vigil Tuesday to honor Mandela

Portland Mayor Michael Brennan and city leaders will host a candlelight vigil Tuesday night in honor of Nelson Mandela, who died Dec. 5 at the age of 95.

The city is inviting the Portland community to join in honoring the life and legacy of Mandela, who led the fight against apartheid government in South Africa.

During the service, which begins at 5 p.m. in Monument Square, the South African national anthem will be sung and there will be a poetry reading.

“While this is not the only recognition of his life that the city will participate in, we do want to join the rest of the world in remembering and celebrating Nelson Mandela, and the values he fought for,” Brennan said in a news release.

Brennan said Portland school officials will attend the vigil and will announce an initiative that honors Mandela’s belief in the power of education.

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